by anine.hallen -

Final prototype – video

If I was to work further on this prototype I am now at the stage where I would get some input from possible users. Doing a few informal tests would most likely give me more information and some new perspectives to further develop my prototype. This would help me to get it to a stage where I can learn more from more “proper” testing.

After this development I would do a more extensive testing round to decide whether or not this is the right direction. I would anyways have new perspectives to bring to a different prototype, so my work would not be lost if I found that a different format would be necessary.

by anine.hallen -

Finalising the prototype

As I have continued working on the prototype I constantly find new needs and possible paths. For now I have focused on placing the prototype in a context which becomes part of the prototype. Instead of just developing the tool I have now made a webpage as an information source.

Eventually I started filling in my wireframes with content. I have chosen to not focus on writing texts and rather making titles which give an indicator of what would be there. This way I could have tested my prototype to get a “first impression” from someone without producing text that might not be needed.

I have created a structure which will work similarly to a storyteller page.

  1. Header: There is a header on top for navigation.
  2. What: first the user need to understand what this page does. Two sentences about the goal for this page is enough to communicate this fast.
  3. Why: Why should the user care? Why should they use this page? Three main goals is mentioned with subpages linked it the user wants to read more.
  4. How: How can I make a difference? This part is where I assume most user will spend the most time. It is an exploration of what I can do (as a consumer / designer) to reduce the environmental impact of fashion.
  5. Engage: Call to action to send in feedback and/or taking part in challenges/competitions to create engagement around the page. This part would need more exploration and research to see what creates the most momentum and impact.
  6. Footer: Footer where I can place the “boring” info. For those interested in going in depth, reading more complex resources, documentation etc. this is a natural place to look in combination with the header.

If I was to test this prototype I would interview 3-5 people of different age and try to explore what information they would expect, wish for and care about. In addition I would interview fashion designers to explore if they could use a page like this in their workflow.

by anine.hallen -

Exploring through the first prototype

After exploring what I want to communicate on paper I moved on to a Figma prototype. Here I explore which solutions are necessary to show enough information without becoming too overwhelming. I am also testing out different modes of designer-consumer. 

I showed and discussed the first prototype with Mrs. Bachler. We found that the prototype need to be placed in a context/story. I will therefore also explore how the webpage can be designed to enhance the importance of the prototype. 

As we were discussing more it becomes clear that the “societal” context also will matter a lot. Will this be a certification, “quality stamp” or just information bank? This would need more exploring than I can do this semester, but it should be mentioned.

by anine.hallen -

Closing the information gap and introducing a certification

I started working on sketches to understand what my process and exploration should look like. Making an (initial) flowchart for my own workflow and a few persona sketches got my creativity started. My MVP of my product will not be fully populated with the information it needs. This would take way too much time. Therefore I will focus on creating a shell of a product as a prototype. Ideally I will populate one “branch of information” to make it easier to see how it could all end up looking. 

I also sketched some ideas for how the information can be presented to the user. By creating a “designer layer” and a “consumer layer” I want the information necessary for each group to be easily available. Still, a consumer should be able to also read and understand what the designers should think of and the opposite. 

This thought sparked the idea that this eventually could become a certification of some sort. There are many different certifications (as discussed in last semester’s post about greenwashing) that do not really mean anything. By making the criteria easily available the brands who take sustainability seriously can get this information out in a trustworthy way. This can also work as an incentive for designers to really follow the guidelines of my product. 

by anine.hallen -

Creating a prototype as an artefact for exploring

As I started to work on this project this semester I got quite overwhelmed. Fashion is a gigantic and complex industry, and there is no way for me to become an “expert” enough in one semester on how to change this industry. However, as a designer, I can design an artefact and explore solutions, worries, goals etc. of the two main stakeholders: fashion designers and consumers. Therefore I decided to design a prototype earlier in the process than I would have normally wanted. Through this prototype I will explore what information consumers would wish to know about the clothes they buy and what information fashion designers need to design for sustainable, loved, keep-worthy pieces. 

As I personally am both a consumer and (want to become) a creator of it I will use myself as a testperson in the beginning of this process. What are the pet-peeves I have as a consumer? Which choices do I (want to) make, what thought go through my head as I try something on? After last semesters research, which problems should designers avoid? Which decisions should they make?

When I am in the role of the consumer the issue is often that I don’t know which decisions have been made when a garment is designed and produced. For a designer who takes sustainability seriously, it can be frustrating that H&M calls something sustainable if they only used recycled polyester which doesn’t create a real impact. I will try to close this information gap with my prototype and see if this can create more trust and a better future for designers who really want to make an impact. 

by yao.sossou1 -

Designing an eHealth App for Sustainable Healthcare: case of Benin republic

This article seek to present and overiew of the implementation of ehealth in Benin to help us see the opportunities and challenges we might face while trying to present a contextualized framework to “Designing an eHealth App for Sustainable Healthcare in Benin” that can contribute to improve community health but also support the National eHealth Strategy in Benin .

Zouléha Karimou, a 35-year-old housewife and mother of five boys, takes part in a bednet demonstration in her village of Sibongou in the health zone of Bariénou, about 500 kilometers north of Cotonou, Benin, on June 17, 2018

Source: JSI- Improving Community Health in Benin | by JSI | Medium

The implementation of eHealth in Benin Republic has been driven by the National eHealth Strategy, which aims to improve the country’s healthcare sector through the use of information and communication technology (ICT). The strategy was adopted in November 2017 and covers the period from 2018 to 2022. The key components of the strategy include the establishment of an eHealth infrastructure, strengthening human resources for health, improving access to healthcare services, enhancing healthcare quality and patient safety, and developing a legal and regulatory framework.

The situational context in Benin Republic reveals that eHealth initiatives have been implemented in the country in the past, mainly through private projects supported by NGOs, international organizations, or bilateral cooperation. However, the Ministry of Health had limited engagement in these programs, and many of them faded away due to a lack of funding and little assessment of their impact on the health system.

To institutionalize the use of digital health, the Ministry of Health assigned the Department of Information Technology and Pre-archiving to develop a national eHealth plan. Two strategic documents on the use of ICT in health have been created. However, the review in 2015 highlighted the lack of a nationwide and uniform network for the Ministry of Health, limited connectivity of health structures, and a lack of ICT infrastructure, particularly in rural areas.

Despite these challenges, the government of Benin has shown strong commitment to eHealth. The national eHealth strategy includes best practices such as government commitment, a favorable institutional and legislative framework, the development of a national eHealth master plan, and engagement with health professionals and the private sector. Lessons learned from previous projects and initiatives are also being applied to the strategy’s implementation.

The national eHealth strategy aims to establish an eHealth infrastructure, enhance human resources for health, improve access to healthcare services, enhance healthcare quality and patient safety, and develop a legal and regulatory framework. The strategy includes the creation of a national health information system, the use of telemedicine, and the development of eLearning programs for healthcare worker training.

The implementation of the strategy faces various challenges, including a lack of funding, insufficient technical human resources, delays in legal and regulatory aspects, poor user confidence, limited ICT infrastructure, and low accessibility to health structures. However, the government’s commitment, favorable institutional environment, and qualified human resource pool provide a solid foundation for the strategy’s implementation.

To ensure accountability and transparency, the strategy has established a monitoring and evaluation system to track the implementation of projects and their impact on the health system. Impact indicators are being developed, and an independent team is responsible for collecting and analyzing these indicators. The strategy also emphasizes the involvement of health professionals and the private sector in the implementation process.

In Benin, the eHealth segment is expected to show positive growth and development. The revenue in the eHealth segment is projected to reach US$9.59 million by 2023. Furthermore, there is an estimated annual growth rate (CAGR 2023-2027) of 18.42%, which would result in a projected market volume of US$18.85 million by 2027. User penetration in the eHealth segment is expected to be 7.77% in 2023, and it is projected to increase to 12.33% by 2027. This indicates a growing adoption of eHealth solutions by the population in Benin. The average revenue per user (ARPU) is anticipated to be US$9.40, reflecting the potential value and monetization opportunities within the eHealth market in Benin. It is worth noting that in global comparison, China is expected to generate the highest revenue in the eHealth segment, with an estimated revenue of US$23,270 million in 2023. These figures highlight the potential and growth prospects of the eHealth segment in Benin, indicating increasing adoption and revenue generation in the coming years.

In conclusion, while challenges exist, Benin Republic is committed to using eHealth to improve its healthcare system. The strategy’s implementation is supported by a favorable institutional and legislative environment, government commitment, and lessons learned from previous projects. With continued efforts and addressing the challenges, eHealth has the potential to improve healthcare access and quality in Benin Republic. The eHealth segment in Benin is poised for significant growth and offers promising opportunities for improving healthcare accessibility and enhancing overall health outcomes in the country.

Reference:

  • Y. A. A. Sossou, “Status of eHealth in Benin republic,” March 2023. https://www.intgovforum.org/en/filedepot_download/278/24571.
  • https://jsihealth.medium.com/improving-community-health-in-benin-842df2bcadca
  • https://www.statista.com/outlook/dmo/digital-health/ehealth/benin
  • www.itu.int
  • www.sante.gouv.bj
  • www.who.int
by anine.hallen -

Design Brief for the second semester

“Designing for keep-worthiness and longevity of a (fashion)object”

Last semester I explored sustainability in fashion. Many companies have some sort of strategy to reduce their carbon footprint, but most of these incentives are not effective. I did however find some examples of companies trying to make a real difference. This in combination to big reports led me to some conclusions of what is important when designing and marketing clothing items:

  • avoiding greenwashing
  • reducing amount of articles sold (worldwide)
  • increase the visual / fashional / material sustainability + increased quality
  • increase keep-worthiness and versatility
  • only focusing on “sustainalble” materials is not effective

Customer behavior and habits are affected by the environment and market the fashion industry creates. Therefore it is important to focus on the industry (in combination with expanding second hand options etc.). 

The focus this semester will therefore be on the fashion designer. This is my user group. My goal is to help designers design for keep-worthiness and longevity (KWL). Included in this is visual/aesthetical sustainability, high quality/durability and versatility. Repairability is also important. 

This semester’s design process will consist of work in the third and fourth part in the double diamond. I will first explore what possible solutions there are and then converge into developing one idea. 

by yao.sossou1 -

Creating a Sustainable Future in Healthcare: The Process of Designing an eHealth App

With the increasing concern about environmental sustainability and public health, there is a need to develop innovative solutions that promote sustainable healthcare practices. The healthcare industry has been under pressure to address the rising healthcare costs and environmental concerns, and the use of digital technology in healthcare has emerged as a potential solution. In recent years, there has been a growing interest in designing eHealth apps that not only improve the quality of healthcare but also contribute to a more sustainable future while encouraging users to adopt healthy behaviors while also reducing their environmental impact.

Interaction design principles can be used to motivate and engage users to adopt sustainable healthcare practices. For example, gamification, personalization, and social interaction elements can be integrated into the design of eHealth apps to promote healthy behaviors and encourage users to make sustainable choices. A study by Sutcliffe et al. [1] found that gamification elements such as points, leaderboards, and rewards can lead to increased user engagement and motivation in health-related apps. In their study, the authors investigate the role of gamification in promoting user engagement and motivation to adopt health apps. The study highlights the potential benefits of incorporating gamification elements into healthcare apps, such as increasing user satisfaction, promoting healthy behaviors, and enhancing the effectiveness of healthcare interventions. Their findings suggest that gamification can be a key determinant of the adoption of health apps, and thus, it is important to consider gamification as a design strategy in the development of eHealth apps for sustainable healthcare.

On the other hand, Tran et al.[2] provides a scoping review of the current state of evidence on the use of gamification and incentives in mobile health apps to improve medication adherence. While their foundings stressed out the lack of significance amount of evidence supporting the use of gamification and financial incentives to improve medication adherence, their paper highlights the potential benefits and drawbacks of these strategies and provides recommendations for future research.

A study conducted by Carlqvist et al. [3] provides valuable insights into the potential for eHealth applications to function as value-creating resources in healthcare from the perspective of healthcare professionals. The study was a qualitative interview study that explored healthcare professionals’ experiences with using an eHealth application and how it could create value in healthcare. The findings of the study are relevant to the topic of creating a sustainable future in healthcare through the process of designing an eHealth app. By understanding how an eHealth application can create value for healthcare professionals, designers can ensure that the app they design meets the needs and expectations of its users. Additionally, designing an app that creates value for healthcare professionals can lead to increased adoption and sustained use of the app, which can contribute to a more sustainable healthcare system in the long run.

Privacy and data security are important ethical considerations that need to be addressed in the design of eHealth apps as well. Health-related information is sensitive, and users need to trust that their data is secure and protected. Incorporating privacy and security measures in the design of eHealth apps is crucial to ensure user trust and adoption.

In this post we want to explore the process of designing sustainable eHealth apps, with a focus on the role of Interaction design and digitalization in promoting sustainability. To shed light on this topic, we have examined the works of Jansen [4], who discusses the importance of digitalization in healthcare and its potential impact on sustainability, Oderanti et al.[5], who examine business models for sustainable commercialization of eHealth innovations, and van Limburg and van Gemert-Pijnen [6], who propose innovative business models for sustainable eHealth applications.

After Analysis of those articles a question still subsisted: what is process of designing an eHealth app for a sustainable future in healthcare? In that regards we would like to propose the following these 8 steps:

  1. Identify sustainability goals & the needs: In this first step you could conduct research and gather insights from potential users, healthcare providers, and other stakeholders on sustainability challenges in healthcare. For example , high rates of chronic diseases, lack of access to qualify care, environmental threats, etc [3].
  2. Define the scope with sustainability in mind: Once the sustainability goals have been identified, the next step is to define the scope of the app with sustainability in mind. This involves identifying sustainable features, functionality, and target audience. Defining the goals and objectives of the eHealth app, such as improving health outcoms, enhancing patient engagement, reducing costs, minimizing environmental impact, etc[4]
  3. Develop a business model that ensures the sustainability and scalability of the eHealth app, such as revenue streams, value proposition, customer segments, etc.[5]
  4. Develop wireframes and prototypes with sustainability in mind: Wireframes and prototypes to visualize the app’s user interface and to test its sustainability impact. At this stage you come up with creating low-fidelity sketches or high-fidelity interactive prototypes with sustainability considerations in mind.
  5. Conduct user testing with sustainability in mind: This will help gather feedback on the app’s sustainability impact, as well as its usability and functionality. of course you can recruite participants to test the app and providing feedback on their sustainability experience.
  6. Develop the app with sustainable materials and practices: Once the wireframes and prototypes have been tested and refined, the app can be developed with sustainable materials and practices. This can involve using renewable energy sources, using recycled or biodegradable materials, or minimizing the app’s carbon footprint in other ways.
  7. Ensure regulatory compliance with sustainable regulations: eHealth apps designed for sustainable healthcare may be subject to regulations related to sustainability practices, data privacy, security, and healthcare compliance. Ensuring compliance may involve obtaining appropriate certifications or following specific standards related to sustainability.
  8. Launch and monitor sustainability impact: Once the app has been developed and tested, it can be launched. It’s important to monitor the app’s sustainability impact, as well as its performance and user feedback, to ensure it continues to meet sustainability goals and regulatory requirements. Implement and monitoring the eHealth app in the real-world setting and collecting feedback for improvement [5,6]

In conclusion, designing an eHealth app for sustainable healthcare is a promising solution to promote sustainable healthcare practices while also improving public health. Interaction design principles can be used to create engaging and motivating apps that encourage users to adopt healthy behaviors and make sustainable choices. Privacy and data security considerations are essential ethical considerations that need to be addressed in the design of eHealth apps.

References:

[1] Sutcliffe, A., Kaur, K., & Noronha, J. (2013). Gamification: A key determinant of adoption of health apps. Proceedings of the 2nd ACM SIGHIT International Health Informatics Symposium (pp. 571-580).

[2] S. Tran, L. Smith, S. El-Den and S. Carter, “The Use of Gamification and Incentives in Mobile Health Apps to Improve Medication Adherence: Scoping Review,” JMIR Serious Games, vol. 9, no. 1, p. e30671, 2021

[3] Carlqvist, C., Hagerman, H., Fellesson, M. et al. Health care professionals’ experiences of how an eHealth application can function as a value-creating resource – a qualitative interview study. BMC Health Serv Res 21, 1203 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-021-07232-3

[4] A. Jansen, “Healthcare and the environment: Why does digitalization matter?,” Innovation Matters, Philips, Aug. 26, 2021. [Online]. Available: https://www.philips.com/a-w/about/news/archive/blogs/innovation-matters/2021/20210826-healthcare-and-the-environment-why-does-digitalization-matter.html.

[5] Festus Oluseyi Oderanti, Feng Li, Marija Cubric, Xiaohui Shi,Business models for sustainable commercialisation of digital healthcare (eHealth) innovations for an increasingly ageing population,Technological Forecasting and Social Change,Volume 171,2021,120969, ISSN 0040-1625,https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.120969. (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0040162521004017)

[6] A. H. M. van Limburg and J. van Gemert-Pijnen, “Towards Innovative Business Modeling for Sustainable eHealth Applications,” 2010 Second International Conference on eHealth, Telemedicine, and Social Medicine, Saint Maarten, Netherlands Antilles, 2010, pp. 11-16, doi: 10.1109/eTELEMED.2010.30.

by anine.hallen -

Fashion jobs that doesn’t create more clothes

I have learned in my research that the fashion world needs a complete remodel to become sustainable. To produce slightly less “un-unsustainable” clothing isn’t enough if we keep selling (and buying) big amounts of it. Therefore I want to explore ways to take part of the fashion world that isn’t designing new clothing.

Save Your Wardrobe

The startup Save Your Wardrobe helps people to go shopping in their own wardrobes. It pairs together pieces of clothing in the users wardrobe, guides to find repair services and alteration services. This can help in reducing the feeling of need for something new.

Unmade

To tackle one of the biggest issues in the industry – waste as a result of overproduction – Unmade list demand directly to production. This means there is no “guessing” what the consumers want. The software allowed users to customize clothing before it is produced. The clothing is then made on demand and in smaller batches. With this customization the user will likely also love the product more, as we tend to like things we had part in creating more. This leads to willingness to repair and use until it is worn out.

One of fashion’s biggest issues: overproduction

Fæbrik

A “sewing collective” creating easy sewing patterns which can be altered to perfectly match your body ensuring longevity and keep-worthiness is booming in Norway. By promoting using second hand clothing that has nice fabric, but not a nice fit is a great way to salvage clothing before the last stop. In addition they sell surplus textile from already (quite) sustainable brands to salvage high quality textile in addition to enlighten the public about this issue.

The Norwegian sewing revolution: Women have sown their own “bunad” (traditional dress) of second hand clothing and textile.

Renting / second hand / resale

ThredUp, Tise, Rent the Runway, My Wardrobe and so many other companies are booming. There are issues to take into consideration here as well, eg. transport, getting “the feeling of sustainability” yet still over consuming and changing of trends, but these can be worked on. Helping in designing systems for these companies to be more profitable yet more sustainable would be highly interesting.

Sources

https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20211105-how-carbon-might-go-out-of-fashion

https://faebrik.no/pages/om-oss-1

by anine.hallen -

The effect of Greenwashing and how to avoid it

Greenwashing is defined as “to make people believe that your company is doing more to protect the environment than it really is” (https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/greenwash). This is done to attract customers. Business Wire writes that there is a “significant global paradigm shifts in how consumers view sustainability and the associated generational differences in willingness to pay for sustainable products and services,” (The Global Sustainability Study 2021 by Simon-Kucher & Partners).(https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211014005090/en/Recent-Study-Reveals-More-Than-a-Third-of-Global-Consumers-Are-Willing-to-Pay-More-for-Sustainability-as-Demand-Grows-for-Environmentally-Friendly-Alternatives). This leads to a wish for companies to seem sustainable, even though they might not have the right or the knowledge to call themselves that. This leads to a gap between claims and truth. 

Greenwashing

“Research carried out in Europe found that 42% of green claims were exaggerated, false, or deceptive” Harvard Business Review (HBR) writes (2022) about a “sweep” of websites carried out by the European Commission and national consumer authorities. They found this:

  • In 37% of the cases included vague terms like “conscious” and “eco-friendly”
  • In 57% of the cases there was no easily accessible evidence to back up the claims that were made

(https://hbr.org/2022/07/how-greenwashing-affects-the-bottom-line, https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_21_269)

HBR found that customers realize and are aware of the gap between the claims and actually actions enough to impact their satisfaction levels with the companies. This carries out to affect their relationship with the products and it affects the economy for the company in an impactful way. However, the customers “only care to a point.” If a company is seen as a high quality, innovative etc. brand, the satisfaction levels of the customers were unsignificantly affected even if the company was perceived as greenwashing. This result should, according to HBR, still be read with caution as a bigger or later research could show a greater effect.
(https://hbr.org/2022/07/how-greenwashing-affects-the-bottom-line)

How to avoid greenwashing, but still communicate sustainability

What HBR advices is that managers should pay equal attention towards their communicating their goals outwards and to their companies ability to achieve these. It is better as a company to promise something achievable and overachieve than the opposite. (https://hbr.org/2022/07/how-greenwashing-affects-the-bottom-line) This tactic can be seen in one of my previous posts about Northern Playground, and their communication outwards about how “no fashion is sustainable”. They still manage to communicate that their clothing is of the better alternatives if used right without risking a backlash for not being carbon neutral.

In addition to paying better attention to what is communicated outwards in statements, it can also be useful to use voluntary standards. E.g. EcoLabel Index (https://www.ecolabelindex.com) provides a vide variety of labels which can be used to legitimatize a companies claims. Here there is also room for mistakes, as many of the labels can be completely in-relevant or weak. Using recognizable and well known labels will likely give the best effect.

Avoiding greenwashing should be a high priority, but that doesn’t mean a company shouldn’t strive to reach high. As HBR writes it: “It may well be the case that they (ed. customers) are willing to forgive companies that tried and legitimately failed to implement their goals but customers might also be less forgiving towards those companies that attempted to cheat their way by exaggerating their credentials.” (https://hbr.org/2022/07/how-greenwashing-affects-the-bottom-line)